Our faith finds its deepest truth as we work together to bring healing to a hurting world.
We believe that faith is not complete until it is lived out in our actions.
Our history confirms a deeply rooted commitment to justice for all people. Through community relationships, we seek to listen and understand where we can best partner with others to help meet the needs of our community and beyond.
Across the diverse interests of people in our faith community, we actively work for equity and justice through both advocacy initiatives and programs that support needs for daily living. The prophets remind us of what is required of us: to act justly, love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.
We have a long history of work with:
- Central Iowa Shelter and Services
- AMOS — A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy
- DMARC Food Pantry
- Urbandale Food Pantry
- Urbandale Community Action Program
- Lutheran Services in Iowa
- Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
- Week of Compassion
Anti-Racist & Pro-Reconciling
Our denomination strives to be pro-reconciling and anti-racist by heeding God’s call to practice faithfulness to eliminate racism, which not only exists in our society but also in all manifestations of the church. We seek to listen to people from racial and ethnic communities, learn from their wisdom, and follow their leadership. In this way and through the power of God’s Spirit, we will strive to be the Church God calls us to be.
At New Beginnings, we recognize this work is a daily spiritual practice, responding to God’s call to love as Jesus loved.
Open & Affirming
In 2013, we made an official commitment to be a church actively seeking to open and affirm persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations to the table of Christ’s communion and into the full life and leadership of the church. We believe strongly in the belovedness and inherent worth of all persons.
Study & Action
We understand God’s call to work for equity and justice is an integral part of our faith. Our spiritual practices and study nurture our understanding of what God’s vision of justice looks like. Our experience in mission and advocacy requires study, dialogue, and action.
We work to unpack, unlearn, and change our biases through:
- Community conversations
- Book and other discussions
- Sermons and the prophetic word
- Teaching our children the anti-racist values we learn from Jesus’ teachings
- Working to support leadership in the Black community, organizers, and activists through advocacy
- Events to learn from others
- Advocacy with government leaders
- Participation in community events
We offer support and care for daily living through:
- Short-term community projects
- Partnering with local organizations
New Beginnings Christian Church in action.
